Kolkata, | Jan 16, 2026 – The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), hosted the “U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific: North Eastern Dialogue” in Kolkata. This was the national-level pre-dissemination dialogue of an 18-month project that aims to build awareness about the US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific in India's Northeast and explore avenues for advancing trade, connectivity, and economic prosperity through potential India-US cooperation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.
Six regional chapters of the North Eastern Dialogue have been hosted earlier in Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Each of these convened over 30 multi-sector delegates who participated in two surveys. The pre-dialogue survey was designed to gauge their existing awareness of the U.S. Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific and their perceptions about potential India-US collaboration in trade connectivity and economic prosperity in India’s Northeast. The post-dialogue survey recorded the changes (if any) in their opinions after participating in the Dialogue. The findings were compiled into a Report.
The objective of the ‘Kolkata Chapter’ was to analyse the Report’s findings and delve deeper into the themes of trade connectivity and economic prosperity in India’s Northeast, through two Roundtable Discussions on ‘Economic Prosperity for India’s Northeast: Strategic Significance for the Indo-Pacific’ and ‘Northeast Nexus: Weaving Northeast into the Connectivity Networks’. The discussion comprised experts from diverse sectors, including government, journalists, entrepreneurs, and businesses communities including the American Chamber of Commerce in India, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Tripura Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mizoram Chamber of Industries and Commerce, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Tripura Merchant Association, and Tea Development Associations, from the six Northeastern states. Based on the deliberations in the Kolkata Chapter, the Report will be finalised for dissemination at the upcoming Delhi Chapter.
The Inaugural Session of the Kolkata Chapter commenced with the Welcome Address by Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President – Development Studies, Observer Research Foundation, and Project Director. He highlighted, “India’s Northeast matters for two reasons: its strategic geography that links India to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, and its deep reservoir of social, human, natural, and physical capital. Together, these make the region India’s land bridge to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Today's dialogue brings regional realities into national policy thinking, aligning Northeast connectivity with broader Indo-Pacific economic priorities.”
In her special address during the Inaugural Session, the U.S. Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata, Kathy Giles-Diaz underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific as she emphasised, “”.
Anasua Basu Ray Chaudhury, Senior Fellow, Neighbourhood Studies Initiative, Observer Research Foundation and Project In-Charge, introduced the project’s framework and outlined its goals. She stated, “We know that the Indo-Pacific’s security and prosperity depend on the development of its subregions, where connectivity, growth, and stability are deeply interlinked.”
Subsequently, two digital presentations were delivered by, Abigail Bard, Quad Team Coordinator U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Office of India and Bhutan Affairs, on “The National Security Strategy and Economic Engagement via the Quad” and Jeffrey Wang, Quad Team Lead, Political Officer, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Office of Regional and Security Policy (EAP/RSP), on “The Quad and Maritime Security.”
The Roundtable Discussions that followed were conducted under Chatham House rules.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Samidha Redkar, Acting Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata, where she stated, “ “.
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